ORIENT won the game which they absolutely could not afford to lose, today.

Ryan Jarvis poached a goal on 52 minutes, and Eric Lichaj drove low past Owain Fon Williams on 79 minutes to sink relegated Stockport County at Brisbane Road.

After the banquet of football which Orient served up by beating Norwich City on Tuesday night, this encounter was more like a stale cheese sandwich.

Relegated Stockport County had long spells of possession but Jamie Jones was hardly troubled at all in the Orient goal.

Former Os favourite Jabo Ibehre was subdued on his return to Brisbane Road, and his biggest contribution was to power a shot into into row Z of the South Stand, on the hour.

But this vital win puts Orient four points clear of the drop-zone on a day which featured wins for relegation rival's Tranmere Rovers, Gillingham and Oldham Athletic.

Orient had the best of the first half but they did not carve out that critical advantage.

Scott McGleish produced an unbelievable miss from one yard out on 35 minutes.

The veteran hitman somehow put his effort wide of the opposite right hand post when Ryan Jarvis nodded the ball onto him.

McGleish looked a threat and he was in the right place when Eric Lichaj rounded Jemal Johnson and sent over a cross from the right.

The 35-year-old steered his header over the bar.

Charlie Daniels was a dynamic force again from left-back like he was against Norwich.

He brought the best save of the half from County keeper Owain Fon Williams with a outside-of-the-boot effort on 16 minutes from 14 yards.

McGleish provided the final pass in that move which began with Daniels' surging run down the wing and then a break into the box.

Relegated Stockport County had extended spells with the ball in Orient's final third.

But former Os favourite Jabo Ibehre was starved of chances up front with George Donnelly.

Jamie Jones made his sole save of the half when Donnelly sidefooted an effort into his hands.

The chance came after a patient build-up by the visitors who benefited from acres of space in wide positions created by Orient's diamond-style formation.

Ryan Jarvis put Orient ahead on 52 minutes when he tucked his shot under Williams' after the keeper found Sean Thornton low shot from 22 yards, too hot to handle.

Jarvis's first goal in 15 games charged up Orient and they ramped up the tempo.

But that wore off and the goal brought no onslaught by the Os against opponents who seemed resigned to the fate.

It took a special moment by right-back Eric Lichaj to settle some lingering nerves.

He delved up-field from right-back and was picked out by Thornton with a raking pass as the Os held possession on the edge of County's area.

Lichaj surged past Paul Turnball and pinged a crisp drive past Williams into the bottom left corner.

This was no flawless display by Orient as they fight for the League One lives.

The host's shaky at times when Gary Ablett's team pressed forwards.

But County have scored the fewest goals of any side in League One this season and that woeful record rarely looked like it would improve today.

Now Orient prepare for the trip to play Millwall at the New Den, next Saturday.

Jones, Chorley, Mkandawire, Chambers, McGleish, Thornton, Daniels, Jarvis, Spicer (Demetriou 74), Smith, Lichaj.

Subs: Morris (gk), Purches, Ashworth, Pires, Baker, Patulea.

Attendance: 4,373 including 162 County fans.